‘Mind-boggling’ – LIV Golf star gutted he’s missing Masters

Bryson DeChambeau is leading the charge of 13 LIV golfers at this year’s Masters, but attention has once again turned to one of those not in the field at Augusta National. 

Talor Gooch created a storm in the build-up by claiming an asterisk would be needed beside the winner of this year’s tournament.

Gooch, LIV’s individual champion in 2023, did not receive an invite and is not the only player who defected to the breakaway circuit who is now missing out on the majors without access to world ranking points.

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Louis Oosthuizen, the South African who came so close to clinching a Green Jacket in 2012, is bemused that he’s missing his first Masters in 15 years after sliding well down the world rankings.

“It sucks, it’s the nicest way to put it,” Oosthuizen told LIV’s Fairway to Heaven podcast. “I think 2009 was my first (Masters) event and I played for 15 years and Charl (Schwartzel) was texting me on Monday night and says ‘I can’t believe I’m going to have a practice round without you for the first time in 15 years’. I think we played every par 3 tournament together.

“I mean, I knew the risks of joining LIV with regards to world ranking points. I knew it was going to happen and the day was going to come. To be honest, the stage I am in my career with life and with family, and it’s no disrespect to – I’m not really bothered about the US Open and PGA Championship.

“It’s nothing against the tournaments, they’re great tournaments and majors, but I feel I’ve played loads of them and was very happy playing them. But The Open and the Masters to me were the two that stood out. I’m fortunate enough to play The Open until I’m 60 and that’s a tournament I love, but not playing the Masters stings.”

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LIV withdrew an application to the Official World Golf Ranking board last month and commissioner Greg Norman, who is among the patrons this week at Augusta, has called for a new system to be introduced that rewards his circuit’s players.

But Oosthuizen has now conceded that he may have played his last Masters, expressing his bewilderment at golf’s authorities for failing to do more in bringing together the world’s best players.

“Your mind goes to how I can get there again, but I don’t think there is a way to get there again,” Oosthuizen said. “I won two events at the end of last year (Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Mauritius Open) and I’ve played pretty decent this year. The only way is if they provide more invites. It’s the only way that any of us on LIV are going to get in.

“It’s mind-boggling to me that there’s not more steps being done… Everyone talks about getting the best players together in major events. Everyone that is playing decent at the time, all the top golfers should be playing in the majors.

“I think most of us know the World Rankings isn’t really the World Rankings, but it’s got to come to a stage where Major championships should take control and give spots to each Tour.”

Make sure to check out our Masters daily commute episodes of The bunkered Podcast from Augusta.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.